This Fire Ox Month: Tail aflame
Welcome to 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake.
Here is Tail Aflame the first Auspicious Dates and Places bulletin of the year covering January, the month of the Fire Ox.
As you know nature does not tend to work in straight lines, so the Chinese year does not close suddenly like a door slamming shut. It’s generally more of a gradual seeping from one set of influences to another, starting as early as November. Some Masters, including Grand Master Chan Kun Wah with whom I studied extensively at the turn of the century, consider the changeover as being at Dung Gee, the Winter Solstice; some the Lunar New Year which in 2025 falls on the 29th January. Still others work with the Spring Festival Lap Chun which is usually the 4th February but because 2024 was a Leap Year is actually going to be February 3rd. By which time everybody is agreed.
So I leave it to you as to when you re-orient yourself and so on for the Wood Snake.
Edited highlights of my Forecast Day in December will be available soon. Contact Sheila at sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.
As a bonus and because this is going out a bit late, I have included 2025’s He Tu Journeys. For myself I run these first thing each morning. For me they are part technically accurate qi movement and part prayer. Since each location represents a member of the family for instance, I use them to “check in” on my family as well as combining qi between locations that will support each other. Whichever floats your boat.
Either way you will need to re-charge your tumblestones on the night of the New Moon of the 29th/30th
I hope you find the bulletin useful and engaging. If so, tell your friends. If not, tell me. Thanks.
Gung hei fat choi!
Richard A.
Auspicious Dates and Places for
the (12th) month of the Fire Ox 2025.
(11:15am 5th January to 22:27pm 3rd February inclusive)
as the Year turns to the Wood Snake.
Public edition
The Ox controls the agenda. Human beings like bears are programmed to overeat in December and sleep it off till February. In January there’s usually more discussion than action. It’s axiomatic that it’s hard to get anything much done before mid-January now. To make best use of this time more truth may be required. Emotion may be high and a sense of loss is common as we emerge from the time of the faintest qi and the dimmest light. If ever attention to the location and orientation of things were needed it’s around now as the year changes. One note of caution however: in the deceptive Snake Year just opening, there may be those who will exploit the unprepared.
A 3 month is often about control.
An Ox Month can make for slow awakening.
Where not to be this month: South, West
Where to be this month: South West, North
Favoured Animals: Snake, Rooster, Ox, Rat.
Especially challenged: Horse, Sheep, Dragon.
The Hexagram (page 3): Sui Following, Lake over Thunder, unquestioning.
Commercial Break
As ever my monthly Yi Jing class (next one: Zoom 7:30pm Wednesday February 5th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram of the Month: this time Sui, Hexagram 17, Following, which concerns uncritical obedience, the kua of the unquestioning acolyte. The central message is about taking responsibility for our choices, even when they don’t seem to be our own. Highlights of these sessions appear on my YouTube Channel later in each month. You may not have the stamina for all sixty four Hexagrams but you can join us for a year via Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com
I am teaching and practising Ba Zi all the time My next book I Talk to the Animals due out mid-2025, is a comprehensive guide to the drafting, interpretation and practice of Ba Zi. As I say I’m teaching this stuff one-to-one via Zoom all the time. Meanwhile we’re planning an advanced Ba Zi workshop early in the New Year: Ba Zi Discoveries, exploring connections and perceptions I’ve learned in a quarter of a century of Ba Zi practice that you’re unlikely to come across elsewhere.
What might suggest that following in your father’s footsteps might not be wise?
Or that limelight will seek you out?
Details follow in due course.
In My Monthly Podcast which should be out about the same time as this bulletin, I discuss with the brilliant Zoe Vita James the changing qi of the Month, its likely implications for each Animal and what we may each do about it. In the intervening fortnights we’re now putting one out concentrating upon hints, tips and principles of Classical Feng Shui: this month how to recognise the helpful and less helpful aspects of the interior of a house. And again what you might be able to do about it. You’ll find both at https://open.spotify.com/show/2BvGN1qGP5HdF56HCl9y64.
* Forecast Day for the Wood Snake Year Edited highlights available soon.
* A comprehensive monthly listing of auspicious times, dates & places is available by paid subscription.
Both via: sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.
Wilhelm. The Book of Changes, Text of Hexagram 17
The Ox Month brings a brief respite before everything accelerates again late in January. The image is not a comfortable one: at this sleepy time many of us, like the Ox, may feel a fire building at our tails. Hurry, f.o.m.o. and the need to be in motion even when we would be better awaiting the appropriate moment, can lead to mistakes. At such times we need to breathe and pay attention to the Tao. There is a time and a place for every purpose under the Sun but it may not be now.
Sui
Following
The Monthly Hexagram Sui Number 17 Following.
Lake, the Trigram of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll over Thunder, the Trigram of action and decision. When the Upper Trigram is yin it is in charge in a very different way than the other way up. This Hexagram counsels against going with what appears to be the flow but is truly the line of least resistance. An easy going nature may mask failure to take responsibility for choice. This is the Hexagram of the silent who must speak if they are to influence and choose wisely as to who influences them.
S
2 7 9
1 3 5
6 8 4
The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is the ebullient 3 associated with aspiration and movement, sometimes at whatever cost. Events may pull us out of our slumbers earlier than may be comfortable. Conflict is implied. Down here in the microcosm that may mean fraternal disagreement and in the wider world surprise attacks. 3 represents the Eldest Son who is proverbially impatient. Consistent with the other indicators, this speaks of the perils of precipitate action.
An Ox Month is (like the Rat) unlikely to be comfortable for Horses or Sheep. Not so great for Dragons either but tending to favour Snakes, Roosters and Oxen themselves as well as Monkeys. Rats may feel out of control.
Remember that there are at least four Animals (one each relating to Hour, Day and Month of birth as well as Year) to consider in your own Ba Zi chart and that it is as unlikely that they’re all suffering during the Ox Month as that all are making hay. Each Animal illuminates a particular aspect of life. To know this about yourself may be timely. My Annual Animal Fortunes will be on the website during January.
More detail in the Podcast.
The Month of the Fire Ox, Animal by Animal:
These brief homilies carry different nuance dependent upon whether this Animal rules your Year, Month, Day, Hour or Life House.
Ox (1949, 61, 73, 85, 97; births in January*, 1-3am & on certain days#) You rule the deeps of Winter. Time to get those ducks in a row for later in the year.
Tiger (1950, 62, 74, 86, 98; births in February*, 3-5am & on certain days#) the fresh Snake energy draws you out but not that much. Lower sights.
Rabbit (1951, 63, 75, 87, 99; births in March*, 5-7am & on certain days#) Early days, a Snake Year is generally welcoming and secure.
Dragon (1952, 64, 76, 88, 2000; births in April* 7-9am & on certain days#) Prepare now for the fresh agenda and audience that accompany the Snake.
Snake (1941,53, 65, 77, 89; births in May*, 9-11am & on certain days#) You can probably already feel your power building. Best conserve it for now.
Horse (1942, 54, 66, 78, 90; births in June*, around midday & on certain days#) Play it safe as the energy builds. Reach may exceed grasp.
Sheep (1943, 55, 67, 79, 91; births in July*, 1-3pm & on certain days#) Take this contrary month lightly and not personally.
Monkey (1944, 56, 68, 80, 92; births in August*, 3-5pm & on certain days#) Your ingenuity and knowhow may be called upon. But not too deeply for now.
Rooster (1945, 57, 69, 81, 93; births in September*, 5-7pm & on certain days#) In the spotlight already. Moderation.
Dog (1946, 58, 70, 82, 94; births in October*, 7-9pm & on certain days#) Simultaneously pushed and blocked. Move forward only as appropriate.
Pig (1947, 59, 71, 83, 95; births in November*, 9-11pm & on certain days#) Feel the opposition while it remains relatively meek and plot your course accordingly.
Rat (1948, 60, 72, 84, 96; births in December* 11pm-1am & on certain days#). You are another’s behest. Lean in graciously.
* Chinese Solar Months start later than European ones.
#You’ll need help or a Chinese Calendar for this.
A Favourable Day
Thursday 9th January, Earth Tiger, Horn, Remove (6) **** usable Remove Day
This Remove Day may be more drastic than others as we make way for today’s Earth Tiger. A thorough space clear is recommended: some place black tourmaline around the perimeter of a troubled area and ditch them in the nearest river twelve days later.
Activity: starting North West may make for completion.
Favours: all especially Tiger, Horse, Dog, Pig
Not so Much.
Sunday 12th January, Metal Snake, House, Stable (9) ***** Sticky
Sticky, so best not get stuck into dispute, especially online. Nothing is solved in wormholes. It hurts and dignified withdrawal may serve you best. Minds are mostly changed by witnessing.
Activity: to the tai chi may attract sympathetic attention. No favourites
Another Favourable Day
Monday 20th January, Earth Ox, Danger, Establish (8) **** dispute complete
Da Hohn: Great Cold: 04:00am. 2nd Solar Fortnight.
Ox Day/Ox Month may entail something hard to move; Danger speaks of a need for daring, following action today; Establish of building to last. Fruition probably awaits full transition from Dragon to Snake Year in early February. Dragon “breaks up” (possibly literal, probably temporary) with Ox; Snake co-operates.
Activity: Water at the Ox location (NE1/NNE around 25º) may set the scene.
Favours: everyone, above all Snake, Rooster, Ox, Rat, the ambitious & the patient.
Another not so Much.
Sunday 26th January Wood Sheep, Pleiades, Destruction (5) ***** chaotic
Easy to make poor decisions today. Sheep Day clashes Ox Month making for potential conflict of beliefs. Unless the day is bright, a Pleiades Day is likely to be unruly. Very poor for family gatherings.
Caution: all but especially Ox and Rat and those who favour words over action.
Activity: at Pig due NNW/NW3 around 330º for balance.
Locations in the 3 month of the Fire Ox.
2 7 9 1 6 8 2 7 9
1 3 5 9 2 4 1 3 5
6 8 4 5 7 3 6 8 4
Every house is different but certain forces affect us all wherever we are. What follows identifies which areas are better this month & which worse pretty much everywhere. That applies to all enclosed spaces. What to do about it depends very much on the individual house where the energies will be individual and may qualify or contradict my suggestions. Ask if in doubt.
Tai chi, Home, the centre: Year Star: 3 Month Star: 3
Both the waning Year and the new Month are ruled by the impish 3. Expect even in the post-festive torpor, untimely turmoil; surprise offensives home and away. The upside may be that such action draws attention. And maybe not. Not everyone wants light shed upon them right now. Since the Month and Year Stars are the same, this month’s energy will tend to recap that of the last year. Which may preclude intrusive changes just yet.
Improve: Fire eg bright light. Caution if there are mischievous Stars here already.
North East, Beginnings & Endings: 6 Month Star: 6 Fortune Virtue (Ox)
6 visits 6. Best case is a constructive alliance; worst, squabbles and disagreements among men, with little achieved. Discussion and especially listening will make for more useful outcomes. Suits Rat and those with a watery ba zi. With 9s it’ll be worse, with 1s probably better, depending on your individual circumstances.
Pacify/Express with Water: e.g a glass changed daily, all month.
South East, Determination: Year Star: 2 Month Star: 2 Tai sui (Dragon); Sun (Snake SE3). The expectant Mother. A time of benevolent increase. Locate here carefully but do not face South East. Avoid if the South East has been a fraught area this year.
For greater increase: support with Fire ie bright light.
Reduce: a little Metal. Nothing pointy.
Note: Directions are from the tai chi (ie heart of the property)
Instructions for 2025 He Tu Journeys.
There are four journeys this year one of them includes three compass points. So you’ll need nine bowls and 150 rose quartz tumblestones. You may have some left over from the Dragon Year; be sure to wash them thoroughly at the first New Moon of the Year on the 29th January.
1. Wash and leave your 150 tumblestones outside under each New Moon; dates and times in my monthly bulletins.
2. Place a bowl of 30 tumbles at each of: SE(x2), S NW and tai chi
3. Place an empty bowl at each of: N(x2) E and SW.
4. Move one crystal daily from starting to end point of each journey including one at S (the midpoint of the SE>S>SW journey)
At the next New Moon you’ll have five different bowls holding 30 tumbles each at the end points (E SW and N(x2), and five different empty bowls at the starting points (NW, SE(x2) and the tai chi)
5. Wash stones again, leave them under the New Moon again, start again.
You are mixing the energies of the two locations. So breath in deeply at the starting point and feel, then carry that energy with you to the end point. Notice the meanings of the Star numbers as you mingle them.
Tai chi to N Calming communication (He Tu Fire) Heart to 2nd Son.
NW to N (10) Transformation Father to 2nd Son.
SE to SW via S 1–6–8 Wealth Shedding light. Sisters join.
SE to E (10) Transformation Siblings join
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info
Richard Ashworth is one of the most respected Western Feng Shui Masters. A good taster of his approach may be found on Audible . You can also see him at work on tv’s Housebusters Most Thursdays and Fridays he is to be found teaching both feng shui and ba zi one-to-one online (times by mutual arrangement) with students from Seattle to Belgium,
Richard has worked from Lebanon to Bermuda, in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and with stars such as Naomie Harris, Kelly Hoppen and Gillian Anderson. Unusually for a Western Master, he has addressed the Grand Masters at the International Feng Shui Conference in Singapore.
Every month we send (at a modest fee) retainer clients a more comprehensive monthly bulletin than this one, covering in detail right places to be (and when) as well as the most helpful days Animal by Animal and much more from the Chinese calendar.
Subscriptions (and further info): Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info